Location information in communications networks

ABSTRACT

There is provided mechanisms for providing location information in a communications network. A method is performed by a first device. The first device supports positioning of other devices in the communications network. The method comprises acquiring positioning reference signal configuration from a radio network node in the communications network. The method comprises acquiring location information from a local positioning entity. The method comprises providing the location information to at least one of a radio network node and a second device in the communications network. The method comprises transmitting a positioning reference signal according to the positioning reference signal configuration.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments presented herein relate to communications networks, andparticularly to methods, devices, computer programs, and a computerprogram product for providing location information in a communicationsnetwork.

BACKGROUND

In communications networks, there may be a challenge to obtain goodperformance and capacity for a given communications protocol, itsparameters and the physical environment in which the communicationsnetwork is deployed.

For example, one parameter in providing good performance and capacityfor a given communications protocol in a communications network is beamforming. It may further be advantageous for devices in thecommunications network to have low energy consumption.

To reduce energy consumption in the communications network and to fullyenable utilizing high gain beam forming or other multi-antennatechniques it has been envisioned that the control/broadcast layer canbe separated from the data plane.

In general terms, the control layer, also denoted the system controlplane (SCP), is responsible for functions related to random access andpaging in the communications network. To reduce network energyconsumption broadcasted signals may by network nodes, such as radioaccess network nodes, in the communications network be transmitted moreinfrequently than in legacy reference signals in cellular systems.However, it is envisioned that such infrequent transmission of broadcastsignals may not be network node-specific as in legacy communicationsnetwork. An idle mode wireless device would then not be able to identifyindividual network nodes prior to network attach.

That the wireless device would not be able to identify individualnetwork nodes prior to network attach could imply that the wirelessdevice would not be able to perform positioning. In some scenarios, thedeployed network infrastructure is thus insufficient for positioning.For example, the network infrastructure can be gradually established, oronly deployed to support communication needs but not adhering topositioning needs. One example is construction sites, where theenvironment changes organically over time, and where the communicationneeds may change over time as well. Another example is mines where theinfrastructure of the mine is changing over time, and the need forpositioning is much localized to where work is currently conducted. Yetanother example is a warehouse building where there may be some basicpositioning needs at some locations in the building, and where theresimultaneously may be some stricter positioning needs (of people andgoods) near vessels operating in the building.

In some such cases, positioning can still rely on external signals andsystems such as the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), and thenetwork infrastructure may only provide benefits in terms ofprovisioning of assistance data to facilitate signal retrieval. However,GNSS availability may be limited in the area of consideration, and thedevices to be positioned may lack the capability of retrieving GNSSsignals.

Further, in some other cases, there is adequate positioning availablefrom the deployed network infrastructure in parts of the service area,but not all.

Hence, there is still a need for improved mechanisms for providing andobtaining location information in a communications network.

SUMMARY

An object of embodiments herein is to provide efficient mechanisms forproviding and obtaining location information in a communicationsnetwork.

According to a first aspect there is presented a method for providinglocation information in a communications network. The method isperformed by a first device. The first device supports positioning ofother devices in the communications network. The method comprisesacquiring positioning reference signal configuration from a radionetwork node in the communications network. The method comprisesacquiring location information from a local positioning entity. Themethod comprises providing the location information to at least one of aradio network node and a second device in the communications network.The method comprises transmitting a positioning reference signalaccording to the positioning reference signal configuration.

Advantageously this provides efficient provision of location informationin a communications network.

Advantageously this allows some devices, such as the first device, thatpopulate an area to act as flexible reference points, and therebyprovide positioning support to other devices, such as the second device,in the area. By enabling network control, the communications network cancontrol positioning availability. The first device can inform thenetwork node about their capabilities, possible also triggered once theyare adequately self-positioned. Thereby, it is possible to supportpositioning in environments and use cases which organically grow andchange over time.

According to a second aspect there is presented a device for providinglocation information in a communications network. The device supportspositioning of other devices in the communications network. The devicecomprises processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configuredto cause the device to perform a set of operations. The set ofoperations causes the device to acquire positioning reference signalconfiguration from a radio network node in the communications network.The set of operations causes the device to acquire location informationfrom a local positioning entity. The set of operations causes the deviceto providing the location information to at least one of a radio networknode and a second device in the communications network. The set ofoperations causes the device to transmit a positioning reference signalaccording to the positioning reference signal configuration.

According to a third aspect there is presented a computer program forproviding location information in a communications network, the computerprogram comprising computer program code which, when run on processingcircuitry of a device, causes the device to perform a method accordingto the first aspect.

According to a fourth aspect there is presented a method for a seconddevice to obtain positioning information in a communications network.The method is performed by the second device. The method comprisesacquiring positioning assistance information by receiving locationinformation of a first device, the first device supporting positioningof other devices in the communications network, the location informationthereby serving as said positioning assistance information for thesecond device. The method comprises receiving a positioning referencesignal from the first device, the positioning reference signal beingreceived according to positioning reference signal configuration. Themethod comprises performing at least one of a first set of operationsand a second set of operations. The first set of operations comprisesestimating characteristic properties from the received positioningreference signal. The first set of operations comprises reporting theestimated characteristic properties and an association thereof with thefirst device to a network node in the communications network. The secondset of operations comprises determining a current position of the seconddevice according to the received positioning assistance information.

Advantageously this provides efficient obtaining of location informationin a communications network.

According to a fifth aspect there is presented a device for obtainingpositioning information in a communications network. The devicecomprises processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configuredto cause the device to perform a set of operations. The set ofoperations causes the device to acquire positioning assistanceinformation by receiving location information of another device, theanother device supporting positioning of other devices in thecommunications network, the location information thereby serving as saidpositioning assistance information for the device. The set of operationscauses the device to receive a positioning reference signal from thisanother device, the positioning reference signal being receivedaccording to positioning reference signal configuration. The set ofoperations causes the device to perform at least one of a first set ofoperations and a second set of operations. The first set of operationscomprises estimating characteristic properties from the receivedpositioning reference signal. The first set of operations comprisesreporting the estimated characteristic properties and an associationthereof with the first device to a network node in the communicationsnetwork. The second set of operations comprises determining a currentposition of the second device according to the received positioningassistance information.

According to a sixth aspect there is presented a computer program forobtaining positioning information in a communications network, thecomputer program comprising computer program code which, when run onprocessing circuitry of a device, causes the device to perform a methodaccording to the fourth aspect.

According to a seventh aspect there is presented a computer programproduct comprising a computer program according to at least one of thethird aspect and the sixth aspect and a computer readable means on whichthe computer program is stored.

It is to be noted that any feature of the first, second, third, fourth,fifth, sixth and seventh aspects may be applied to any other aspect,wherever appropriate. Likewise, any advantage of the first aspect mayequally apply to the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and/or seventhaspect, respectively, and vice versa. Other objectives, features andadvantages of the enclosed embodiments will be apparent from thefollowing detailed disclosure, from the attached dependent claims aswell as from the drawings.

Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted accordingto their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitlydefined otherwise herein. All references to “a/an/the element,apparatus, component, means, step, etc.” are to be interpreted openly asreferring to at least one instance of the element, apparatus, component,means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of anymethod disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact orderdisclosed, unless explicitly stated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The inventive concept is now described, by way of example, withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a communication networkaccording to embodiments;

FIG. 2a is a schematic diagram showing functional units of a firstdevice according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2b is a schematic diagram showing functional modules of a firstdevice according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3a is a schematic diagram showing functional units of a seconddevice according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3b is a schematic diagram showing functional modules of a seconddevice according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4 shows one example of a computer program product comprisingcomputer readable means according to an embodiment;

FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and to are flowcharts of methods according toembodiments; and

FIGS. 11 and 12 are signalling diagrams according to embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The inventive concept will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which certain embodiments ofthe inventive concept are shown. This inventive concept may, however, beembodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limitedto the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments areprovided by way of example so that this disclosure will be thorough andcomplete, and will fully convey the scope of the inventive concept tothose skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughoutthe description. Any step or feature illustrated by dashed lines shouldbe regarded as optional.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a communications network 100where embodiments presented herein can be applied. The communicationsnetwork 100 comprises radio network nodes 130 a, 130 b. Each radionetwork node 130 a, 130 b provides one or more cells 150 for a device110, 120 to camp on. The radio network nodes 130 a, 130 b areoperatively connected to a core network 160 which, in turn, isoperatively connected to a service network 170. A device 110, 120camping on a cell 150 of one of the radio network nodes 130 a, 130 b maythereby be able to access content and services as provided by theservice network 170.

The communications network too may comprise a network nodes (NN) 140.The network node 140 may be provided in the core network 160 or in theservice network 170. In general terms the network node 140 may beconfigured to monitor devices 110, 120 in an area, for example to keeptrack of the location of devices 110, 120 in the area, or to keep trackof devices 110, 120 in relation to other devices 110, 120 to avoidcollisions.

The radio network nodes 130 a, 130 b may be provided as any combinationof radio access network nodes such as radio base stations, basetransceiver stations, node Bs, and evolved node Bs. The devices 110, 120may be provided as a portable wireless device such as a mobile station,a mobile phone, a handset, a wireless local loop phone, a user equipment(UE), a smartphone, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, or a wirelesssensor device.

The following definitions will be useful for the description of theherein disclosed embodiments.

The term positioning may be defined as a determination of thewhereabouts of a device. Positioning of a device can be estimated basedon signals from infrastructure nodes and devices.

The term location may be defined as referring to whereabouts of a pieceof infrastructure. In view of the herein disclosed embodiments, thefirst device 110 is part of the positioning infrastructure, andtherefore it is relevant to consider the location of the first deviceno. The location of the first device 110 can be determined viapositioning. The term positioning reference signal may be defined as anytype of signal conveyed by infrastructure nodes and devices to supportpositioning. Further, the positioning reference signal may comprise anidentity of the first device 110. The positioning reference signal maybe defined as in Long Term Evolution (LTE) release 9.

The term location information may be defined as the location of thefirst device 110 as specified in a message transmitted to either anetwork node or another device, such as the second device 120. Thus, thelocation information may define a current location of the first device100. An identifier of the first device 110 can also be considered as anexample of location information.

The term positioning assistance information may be defined asinformation to a device about one or more infrastructure nodes anddevices, comprising the positioning reference signal configuration andoptionally the location information of the node/device.

Embodiments disclosed herein relate to providing positioning informationin a communications network too. In order to provide positioninginformation in a communications network there is provided a device nodenoted a first device, a method performed by the first device 110, acomputer program comprising code, for example in the form of a computerprogram product, that when run on processing circuitry of the firstdevice, causes the first device to perform the method.

Further embodiments disclosed herein relate to obtaining positioninginformation in a communications network too. In order to obtainpositioning information in a communications network there is provided adevice 120 denoted a second device, a method performed by the seconddevice 120, and a computer program comprising code, for example in theform of a computer program product, that when run on processingcircuitry of the second device 120, causes the second device 120 toperform the method.

FIG. 2a schematically illustrates, in terms of a number of functionalunits, the components of a first device 110 according to an embodiment.Processing circuitry 210 is provided using any combination of one ormore of a suitable central processing unit (CPU), multiprocessor,microcontroller, digital signal processor (DSP), application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) etc.,capable of executing software instructions stored in a computer programproduct 410 a (as in FIG. 4), e.g. in the form of a storage medium 230.

Particularly, the processing circuitry 210 is configured to cause thefirst device 110 to perform a set of operations, or steps, S102-S124.These operations, or steps, S102-S124 will be disclosed below. Forexample, the storage medium 230 may store the set of operations, and theprocessing circuitry 210 may be configured to retrieve the set ofoperations from the storage medium 230 to cause the first device 110 toperform the set of operations. The set of operations may be provided asa set of executable instructions. Thus the processing circuitry 210 isthereby arranged to execute methods as herein disclosed. The storagemedium 230 may also comprise persistent storage, which, for example, canbe any single one or combination of magnetic memory, optical memory,solid state memory or even remotely mounted memory.

The first device 110 may further comprise a communications interface 220for communications with other devices and nodes 120, 130 a, 130 b, 140in the communications network too. As such the communications interface220 may comprise one or more transmitters and receivers, comprisinganalogue and digital components and a suitable number of antennas forwireless communications. The processing circuitry 210 controls thegeneral operation of the first device 110 e.g. by sending data andcontrol signals to the communications interface 220 and the storagemedium 230, by receiving data and reports from the communicationsinterface 220, and by retrieving data and instructions from the storagemedium 230. Other components, as well as the related functionality, ofthe first device 110 are omitted in order not to obscure the conceptspresented herein.

FIG. 2b schematically illustrates, in terms of a number of functionalmodules, the components of a first device 110 according to anembodiment. The first device 110 of FIG. 2b comprises a number offunctional modules; an acquire module 210 a configured to perform belowsteps S102, S104, S104 a, S114, a provide module 210 b configured toperform below steps S106, S112, S116, S120, S124, and a transmit and/orreceive module 210 c configured to perform below steps S108, S110, S122.The first device 110 of FIG. 2b may further comprises a number ofoptional functional modules, such as any of a confirm module 210 dconfigured to perform below step S118, and a determine module 210 econfigured to perform below step S104 b. The functionality of eachfunctional module 210 a-210 e will be further disclosed below in thecontext of which the functional modules 210 a-210 e may be used. Ingeneral terms, each functional module 210 a-210 e may be implemented inhardware or in software. Preferably, one or more or all functionalmodules 210 a-210 e may be implemented by the processing circuitry 210,possibly in cooperation with functional units 220 and/or 230 o. Theprocessing circuitry 210 may thus be arranged to from the storage medium230 fetch instructions as provided by a functional module 210 a-210 eand to execute these instructions, thereby performing any steps as willbe disclosed hereinafter.

FIG. 3a schematically illustrates, in terms of a number of functionalunits, the components of a second device 120 according to an embodiment.Processing circuitry 310 is provided using any combination of one ormore of a suitable central processing unit (CPU), multiprocessor,microcontroller, digital signal processor (DSP), application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) etc.,capable of executing software instructions stored in a computer programproduct 410 b (as in FIG. 4), e.g. in the form of a storage medium 303.

Particularly, the processing circuitry 310 is configured to cause thesecond device 120 to perform a set of operations, or steps, S202-S216.These operations, or steps, S202-S216 will be disclosed below. Forexample, the storage medium 330 may store the set of operations, and theprocessing circuitry 310 may be configured to retrieve the set ofoperations from the storage medium 330 to cause the second device 120 toperform the set of operations. The set of operations may be provided asa set of executable instructions. Thus the processing circuitry 310 isthereby arranged to execute methods as herein disclosed. The storagemedium 330 may also comprise persistent storage, which, for example, canbe any single one or combination of magnetic memory, optical memory,solid state memory or even remotely mounted memory.

The second device 120 may further comprise a communications interface 32for communications with other devices and nodes 110, 130 a, 130 b, 140in the communications network 100. As such the communications interface320 may comprise one or more transmitters and receivers, comprisinganalogue and digital components and a suitable number of antennas forwireless communications. The processing circuitry 310 controls thegeneral operation of the second device 120 e.g. by sending data andcontrol signals to the communications interface 320 and the storagemedium 330, by receiving data and reports from the communicationsinterface 320, and by retrieving data and instructions from the storagemedium 330. Other components, as well as the related functionality, ofthe second device 120 are omitted in order not to obscure the conceptspresented herein.

FIG. 3b schematically illustrates, in terms of a number of functionalmodules, the components of a second device 120 according to anembodiment. The second device 120 of FIG. 3b comprises a number offunctional modules; an acquire module 310 a configured to perform belowsteps S202, S204, a transmit and/or receive module 310 b configured toperform below steps S202 a, S206, S214, S216, an estimate module 310Cconfigured to perform below step S208, a report module 310 d configuredto perform below step S210, and a determine module 310 e configured toperform below step S212. The functionality of each functional module 310a-310 e will be further disclosed below in the context of which thefunctional modules 310 a-310 e may be used. In general terms, eachfunctional module 310 a-310 e may be implemented in hardware or insoftware. Preferably, one or more or all functional modules 310 a-310 emay be implemented by the processing circuitry 310, possibly incooperation with functional units 320 and/or 330. The processingcircuitry 310 may thus be arranged to from the storage medium 330 fetchinstructions as provided by a functional module 310 a-310 e and toexecute these instructions, thereby performing any steps as will bedisclosed hereinafter.

FIG. 4 shows one example of a computer program product 410 a, 410 bcomprising computer readable means 430 o. On this computer readablemeans 430, a computer program 420 a can be stored, which computerprogram 420 a can cause the processing circuitry 210 and theretooperatively coupled entities and devices, such as the communicationsinterface 220 and the storage medium 230, to execute methods accordingto embodiments described herein. The computer program 420 a and/orcomputer program product 410 a may thus provide means for performing anysteps of the first device 110 as herein disclosed. On this computerreadable means 430, a computer program 420 b can be stored, whichcomputer program 420 b can cause the processing circuitry 310 andthereto operatively coupled entities and devices, such as thecommunications interface 320 and the storage medium 330, to executemethods according to embodiments described herein. The computer program420 b and/or computer program product 410 b may thus provide means forperforming any steps of the second device 120 as herein disclosed.

In the example of FIG. 4, the computer program product 410 a, 410 b isillustrated as an optical disc, such as a CD (compact disc) or a DVD(digital versatile disc) or a Blu-Ray disc. The computer program product410 a, 410 b could also be embodied as a memory, such as a random accessmemory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmableread-only memory (EPROM), or an electrically erasable programmableread-only memory (EEPROM) and more particularly as a non-volatilestorage medium of a device in an external memory such as a USB(Universal Serial Bus) memory or a Flash memory, such as a compact Flashmemory. Thus, while the computer program 420 a, 420 b is hereschematically shown as a track on the depicted optical disk, thecomputer program 420 a, 420 b can be stored in any way which is suitablefor the computer program product 410 a, 410 b.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are flow charts illustrating embodiments of methods forproviding location information in a communications network too asperformed by the first device 110. FIGS. 7 and 8 are flow chartsillustrating embodiments of methods for obtaining positioninginformation in a communications network too as performed by the seconddevice 120. The methods are advantageously provided as computer programs42 a, 42 b.

Reference is now made to FIG. 5 illustrating a method for providinglocation information in a communications network too as performed by thefirst device 110 according to an embodiment. The first device 110supports positioning of other devices 120, 130 b, 140 in thecommunications network 100.

In general terms, a first device too in the communications network toois associated to the capability of provisioning of positioning referencesignals. This enables that a second device 120 configured to monitor andmeasure retrieved positioning reference signals from the first device110 may either determine position utilizing positioning assistanceinformation from the communications network too, or to reportmeasurements associated to the positioning reference signals to anetwork node, which may be a radio network node 130 a, 130 b or anetwork node 140 outside the radio access network part of thecommunications network 100.

The first device 110 is configured to, in a step S102, acquirepositioning reference signal configuration from a radio network node 130a in the communications network too. Examples of positioning referencesignal configuration and how the first device 110 may communicate withthe radio network node 130 a will be provided below.

The first device 110 is configured to, in a step S104, acquire locationinformation from a local positioning entity. Examples of locationinformation and local positioning entities will be provided below.

The first device 110 is configured to, in a step S106, provide thelocation information to a radio network node 130 b and/or a seconddevice 120 in the communications network too. Examples how the firstdevice 110 may communicate with the radio network node 130 b and/or thesecond device 120 will be provided below.

The first device 110 is configured to, in a step S108, transmit apositioning reference signal according to the positioning referencesignal configuration. Examples of the positioning reference signal willbe provided below.

The thus disclosed mechanism for providing location information in acommunications network too takes advantage of devices, such as the firstdevice 110, with specific capabilities such as an ability to localizethemselves, and the ability to transmit positioning reference signals,thereby facilitating positioning of other devices, such as the seconddevice 120, in the network.

Embodiments relating to further details of providing locationinformation in a communications network too will now be disclosed.

The first device 110 may be capable of determining its location eitherin absolute terms or relative to observed features. The positioningsupport capability of the first device 110 concerns its ability toobtain self-localization; since the first device 110 is considered to bepart of the positioning infrastructure, its whereabouts is referred toas its location, see above.

The first device 110 may be configured with a communications interface220 and processing circuitry 210 capable to determine its locationinformation by retrieving positioning reference signals from radionetwork nodes 130 a, 130 b, as in step S102, possibly supported byassistance information from a network node 140.

The first device 110 may be configured with a communications interface220 and processing circuitry 210 capable to determine its locationinformation based on ranging estimates by exchanging packets with radionetwork nodes 130 a, 130 b, possibly supported by assistance informationfrom a network node 140.

The first device 110 may be configured with sensors such as visual andinfrared cameras, radars, ultrasound sensors, and other sensors andsystems aiming at determining the location information of the firstdevice 110, optionally in relation to identified objects and features orin relation to map information, possibly supported by assistanceinformation from a network node 140.

Further, there may be different examples of local positioning entitiesfrom which the first device no may acquire location information as instep S104. For example, the local positioning entity may be a GlobalNavigation Satellite System (GNSS), a Global Positioning System (GPS), aGlobal Navigation Satellite System (GLONAS), a BeiDou NavigationSatellite System (BDS), or a Galileo supported entity. In order toacquire location information from the local positioning entities thecommunications interface 220 and the processing circuitry 210 shouldthus be configured to receive and process information transmitted bysuch a local positioning entity. For example, if the local positioningentity is the Global Positioning System, the first device 110 may beequipped with a GPS navigation device for receiving location informationfrom a GPS satellite, and so on. That is, the first device 110 may beconfigured with a communications interface 220 and processing circuitry210 capable to determine its location information by using GPSinformation, possibly assisted by a network node 140. Further details ofhow the first device 110 should be configured to communicate with suchlocal positioning entities is known in the art and a detaileddescription thereof is therefore omitted.

As noted above, the first device 110 is configured to receivepositioning reference signal configuration from a radio network node 130a in the communications network 100. There may be different kinds ofpositioning reference signal configuration. Different embodimentsrelating thereto will now be described in turn. For example, thepositioning reference signal configuration can be similar to thepositioning reference signals defined for LTE, separated in a sequenceand a resource mapping in 3GPP TS 36.211. This will be further describedbelow.

In general terms, the positioning reference signal (PRS) configurationmay comprise one or more of a PRS sequence configuration indicating whatsequence to generate to realize the positioning signal, a PRS resourcepattern configuration describing how to map a PRS sequence onto resourceelements within resource blocks of the transmitted signal, a PRStime/frequency resource block configuration, determining which resourceblocks that shall be used for transmission of the PRS, a PRS beamconfiguration characterizing the antenna weight configuration of thefirst device 110 for positioning reference signal transmission, a PRSgeneral availability and restricted availability configuration, apositioning ranging request reception and response transmissionconfiguration to enable other devices, such as the second device 120 toexchange messages with the first device 110 for ranging purposes.

Thus, the positioning reference signal configuration may specifysequence configuration, resource pattern configuration, time/frequencyresource block configuration, beam configuration for how the firstdevice is to transmit the positioning reference signal, or anycombination thereof.

Different devices 110, 120 may have different capabilities regardingwhich PRS configurations it supports. Therefore, optionally, the firstdevice 110 and/or the second device 120 may indicate its capabilitiesregarding PRS configurations as part of the signaling with a networknode 130 a, 130 b, 140.

Reference is now made to FIG. 6 illustrating methods for providinglocation information in a communications network too as performed by thefirst device 110 according to further embodiments.

In addition to acquiring location information from a local positioningentity as in step S104 the first device 110 a may take advantage ofauxiliary information for determining the location information. Forexample, the first device 110 a may take advantage of velocityinformation, such as a velocity magnitude and direction, or a velocityseparated into coordinate components, available from componentsassociated to the first device 110. The velocity information includesindications of the first device 110 being in motion as well as beingstationary. Hence, according to an embodiment the first device no isconfigured to, in a step S104 a, acquire velocity information of thefirst device 110. In turn, the velocity information may be based on asequence of measurements acquired from the local positioning entity. Thefirst device no may then be configured to, in a step S104 b, determinethe location information based on the velocity information.

The first device 110 may be configured to signal capabilities ofpositioning support to a radio network node 130 a or other network node140. Different embodiments relating thereto will now be described inturn.

The transmission of a position reference signal in step S108 may beaccompanied by support for reception of positioning ranging requestmessages and transmission of positioning ranging response messages. Oneembodiment is therefore based on the first device 110 signallingcapabilities of positioning support to the radio network node 130 a ondemand. According to this embodiment the first device no is configuredto, in a step S110, receive, from the network node 140, a request forpositioning support capabilities of the first device 110. The firstdevice 110 is then configured to, in response thereto, in a step S112,provide the positioning support capabilities to the network node 140.

One embodiment is based on the first device no signalling capabilitiesof positioning support to the radio network node 130 a on connectionestablishment. According to this embodiment the first device 110 isconfigured to, in a step S114, acquire an indication of connectionestablishment to the radio network node 130 a. How to establish aconnection between the first device 110 and a radio network node 130 ais as such known in the art and a detailed description thereof istherefore omitted. The first device 110 is then configured to, inresponse thereto, in a step S116, provide positioning supportcapabilities of the first device 110 to the radio network node 130 a.

The first device 110 may optionally provide such capability informationto a network node 140. In more detail, when the first device no hasobtained updated or new location information, it may send the locationinformation to a network node, for example as part of the capabilityinformation for positioning support sent to the network node 140. Oneembodiment is therefore based on the first device 110 signallingcapabilities of positioning support to a network node 140 once the firstdevice 110 is adequately self-localized. According to this embodimentthe first device 110 is configured to, in a step S118, confirm that thefirst device is self-localized. The first device 110 is then configuredto, in response thereto, in a step S120, provide positioning supportcapabilities of the first device 110 to the network node 140.

As will be disclosed below, the second device 120 may transmit apositioning ranging request to the first device 110. Therefore,according to an embodiment, the first device 110 is configured to, in astep S122, receive a positioning ranging request from another device inthe communications network 100. The first device 110 may then beconfigured to, in response thereto, in a step S124, provide apositioning ranging response to the another device. This another devicemay be the second device 120. However, it may generally be any device ornode in the communications network too from with the capability oftransmitting such a positioning ranging request.

There may be different ways for the first device 110 to communicate withthe network node 140, the radio network nodes 130 a, 130 b, and thesecond device 120, respectively. Different examples relating theretowill now be described in turn.

For example, all messages between the first device to and the networknode 140 may be control plane messages or user plane positioningprotocol messages. Examples of such protocols are LPP (the LTEPositioning Protocol), and SUPL (the Secure User Plane Location).

For example, all messages between the first device no and the radionetwork nodes 130 a, 130 b may be Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocolmessages or Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol messages.

For example, all messages between the first device no and the seconddevice 120 may be sidelink protocol messages. Additionally oralternatively, once the first device no has obtained updated or newlocation information, it may send the location information to the seconddevice 120 via regular broadcast or on demand (for example usingsidelink protocol messages).

For example, the positioning reference signal may in step S108 betransmitted via a downlink resource in a time division duplexconfiguration, via an uplink resource in a time division duplexconfiguration, via an uplink resource in a frequency division duplexconfiguration (one example is a sidelink resource configured forcommunication between devices), or via a sidelink resource in general,configured for positioning support purposes.

Reference is now made to FIG. 7 illustrating a method for obtainingpositioning information in a communications network 100 as performed bythe second device 120 according to an embodiment.

The second device 120 is configured to, in a step S202, acquirepositioning assistance information. The positioning assistanceinformation is acquired by the second device 120 receiving locationinformation of a first device no. The location information therebyserves as the positioning assistance information for the second device120. As noted above, the first device no supports positioning of otherdevices 120, 130 b, 140 in the communications network 100. Thepositioning assistance information may be acquired from a network node140 or a radio network node 130 a, 130 b in the communications network100 or even from the first device 110 itself.

As noted above, the first device 110 is configured to, in step S108,transmit a positioning reference signal. This positioning referencesignal is, at least according to the present embodiment, assumed to bereceived by the second device 120. The second device 120 is thereforeconfigured to, in a step S206, receive a positioning reference signalfrom the first device 110. The positioning reference signal is by thesecond device 120 received according to positioning reference signalconfiguration.

The second device 120 is further configured to perform a first set ofoperations S208, S210 and/or a second set of operations S212. These setsof operations will be disclosed next.

In order to perform the first set of operations the second device 120 isconfigured to, in a step S208, estimate characteristic properties fromthe received positioning reference signal. Examples of suchcharacteristic properties and how they may be estimated will be providedbelow.

In order to perform the first set of operations the second device 120 isfurther configured to, in a step S210, report the estimatedcharacteristic properties and an association thereof with the firstdevice to a network node 140 in the communications network. Examples ofhow the second device 120 may communicate with the network node 140 willbe provided below.

In order to perform the second set of operations the second device 120is configured to, in a step S212, determine a current position of thesecond device 120. The current position of the second device 120 isdetermined according to the received positioning assistance information.Examples of how the second device 120 may determine a current positionwill be provided below.

Embodiments relating to further details of obtaining locationinformation in a communications network 100 will now be disclosed.

As noted above, the second device 120 is further configured to perform afirst set of operations S208, S210 and/or a second set of operationsS212. The second device 120 may be configured to select which set ofoperations to perform based on configuration information.

There may be different kinds of characteristic properties. For example,the characteristics may relate to the identity associated to thepositioning reference signal, time of arrival of the receivedpositioning reference signal, received signal strength of the receivedpositioning reference signal, estimated range of the receivedpositioning reference signal, or any combination thereof.

There may be different kinds of positioning assistance information. Forexample, the positioning assistance information may comprise informationabout at least one infrastructure node or and device in thecommunications network 100. For example, the positioning assistanceinformation may comprise the positioning reference signal configuration.For example, the positioning assistance information may comprise thelocation information of the second device 120. For example, thepositioning assistance information may comprise the beam directionassociated to the positioning reference signal, optionally also the beamwidth.

There may be different kinds of positioning determination algorithms todetermine the position of the second device 120, depending on theavailability and characteristic properties measurements of thepositioning reference signals. Typically, each such measurement, denotedy_(k), k=1, . . . , K, where K is the number of measurements, isassociated to a model that includes the unknown position p of the seconddevice 120 and a known position associated to a positioning referencesignal p_(k). The model may also include a model error e_(k) to describethe expected error in the model, for example an additive error:

y _(k) =h(p,p _(k))+e _(k),

where h is a measurement function representing either distance, time ofarrival (TOA), time difference of arrival (TDOA), round trip time (RTT),angle of arrival (AOA), received signal strength (RSS), digital mapinformation, or position estimates for its input arguments p and p_(k).There are other alternative models that are not based on additiveerrors.

The position of the second device may be determined as the position{circumflex over (p)} that best explains the measurements, for examplein the least squares sense:

$\hat{p} = {\underset{p}{argmin}{\sum\limits_{k}\; \left( {y_{k} - {h\left( {p,p_{k}} \right)}} \right)^{2}}}$

where ‘arg min’ means the minimizing argument. Further details regardingdifferent suitable positioning determination algorithms and measurementfunctions h are provided in Gustafsson, F.; Gunnarsson, F., “Mobilepositioning using wireless networks: possibilities and fundamentallimitations based on available wireless network measurements,” SignalProcessing Magazine, IEEE, vol. 22, no. 4, pp. 41-53, July 2005, doi:10.1109/MSP.2005.1458284 as well as in Radnosrati, K.; Gunnarsson, F.;Gustafsson, F., “New Trends in Radio Network Positioning,” proceedingsof the International Conference on Information Fusion, Washington D.C.,USA, July 2015.

Reference is now made to FIG. 8 illustrating methods for obtainingpositioning information in a communications network 100 as performed bythe second device 120 according to further embodiments.

As noted above, the second device 120 in step S202 receives locationinformation from the first device 100. However, the second device 120may additionally receive further location information from anotherdevice or node in the communications network 100. According to anembodiment the second device 120 is therefore further be configured to,in a step S202 a, receive further location information from a networknode 140 or radio network node 130 a, 130 b in the communicationsnetwork too.

In order for the second device 120 to be able to receive the positioningreference signal according to positioning reference signal configurationthe second device 120 should be configured to access such positioningreference signal configuration. The positioning reference signalconfiguration may be stored in the storage medium 330 or be acquiredfrom another device or node in the communications network too (prior toreceiving the positioning reference signal in step S206). According toan embodiment the second device 120 is configured to, in a step S204,acquire the positioning reference signal configuration from a networknode 140 or radio network node 130 a, 130 b in the communicationsnetwork 100.

The second device 120 may request positioning ranging information fromthe first device 110. Such positioning ranging information may furtherbe processed by the second device 120 in order for the second device 120to determine its location. Hence, according to an embodiment the seconddevice 120 is configured to, in a step S214, transmit a positioningranging request to the first device 110. It is assumed that the firstdevice 110 receives and responds to the ranging request. Hence,according to this embodiment the second device 120 is configured to, ina step S216, receive a positioning ranging response from the firstdevice 110 in response to having transmitted the request in step S214 toenable estimation of the range to the first device 110.

There may be different ways for the second device 120 to communicatewith the network node 140, the radio network nodes 130 a, 130 b, and thefirst device no, respectively. Different examples relating thereto willnow be described in turn.

For example, all messages between the second device 120 and the networknode 140 may be control plane messages or user plane positioningprotocol messages. Examples of such protocols are LPP, and SUPL.

For example, all messages between the second device 120 and the radionetwork nodes 130 a, 130 b may be RRC protocol messages or MAC protocolmessages.

For example, as noted above, all messages between the first device 110and the second device 120 may be sidelink protocol messages.

A particular embodiment for providing positioning information in acommunications network too based on at least some of the above disclosedembodiments will now be disclosed in detail with references to theflowchart of FIG. 9 and the signalling diagrams of FIGS. 11 and 12.

S300 (optional): The first device 110 signals its positioning supportcapability to a network node. One way to implement step S300 is toperform step S112.

S310: The network node 400 configures positioning reference signals forthe first device 110. One way to implement step S310 is to perform stepS102.

S320: The first device 110 obtains location information about its ownlocation. The device capability for self-localization can be provided aspart of step S300. One way to implement step S320 is to perform stepS104.

S330: The determined location information may be provided to the networknode. An alternative is that the first device to initially obtains itslocation information and provides the location information as part ofthe positioning support capability information in step S300. It may eventrigger the signaling of the provision support capability message whenadequate self-localization has been achieved. Yet another alternative isthat the location information is provided directly to the second device120 as FIG. 12. The latter has the advantage that the time obtaining thelocation information by the first device 110 to the time when the seconddevice 120 receives the location information is short, thereby enablingconsidering mobile first devices at higher velocities compared to if thelocation information would be sent via a network node. One way toimplement step S330 is to perform step S106.

S340: The first device no transmits a positioning reference signalaccording to the positioning reference signal configuration. One way toimplement step S340 is to perform step S108.

S350: The first device 110 receives a positioning ranging request fromthe second device 120. One way to implement step S350 is to perform stepS122.

S360: The first device 110 responds to the positioning ranging requestto the second device 120. One way to implement step S360 is to performstep S124.

A particular embodiment for obtaining positioning information in acommunications network 100 based on at least some of the above disclosedembodiments will now be disclosed in detail with references to theflowchart of Figure to and the signalling diagrams of FIGS. 11 and 12.

S400: The second device 120 obtains positioning information associatedto the first device 110. Thereby, the second device 120 is able todetect and analyze a positioning reference signal from the first device(as in step S410 below), as well as receiving and decoding optionalsignaling of first device location information. One way to implementstep S400 is to perform step S002.

S410: The second device 120 receives a positioning reference signal fromthe first device 110. One way to implement step S410 is to perform stepS206.

S420: The second device 120 initiates a transmission of a positioningranging request to the first device 110. One way to implement step S420is to perform step S214.

S430: The second device 120 receives a positioning ranging response fromthe first device 110, and is able to estimate the range to the firstdevice 110 based on the time the request was transmitted, and theestimated time of arrival of the response, in consideration of theneeded processing time in the first device 110. One way to implementstep S430 is to perform step S216.

S440: The second device 120 estimates characteristic properties from thereceived positioning reference signal. One way to implement step S440 isto perform step S208.

S450: The second device 120 reports the estimated characteristicproperties and an association thereof with the first device 110 to anetwork node in the communications network 100. One way to implementstep S450 is to perform step S210.

S460: The second device 120 uses the received and estimated informationto estimate the position of the second device 120. One way to implementstep S460 is to perform step S212. Once the position of the seconddevice 120 has been estimated, the position estimate may be signaled tothe network node, or to some other entity in the communications network100.

Positioning reference signals defined for LTE, separated in a sequenceand a resource mapping in 3GPP TS 36.211 will now be disclosed in moredetail. The positioning signal reference sequence is based on apseudo-random sequence defined by a length 31 Gold sequence.Particularly, the output sequence c(n) of length M_(PN), where n=0, 1, .. . , M_(PN)−1, is defined by

c(n)=(x ₁(n+N _(c))+x ₂(n+N _(c)))mod 2

x ₁(n+31)=(x ₁(n+3)+x ₁(n))mod 2

x ₂(n+31)=(x ₂(n+3)+x ₂(n+2)+x ₂(n+1)+x ₂(n))mod 2

where N_(c)=1600 and the first m-sequence shall be initialized withx₁(0)=1, x₁(n)=0, n=1, 2, . . . , 30. The initialization of the secondm-sequence is denoted by c_(int)=Σ_(i=0) ³⁰x₂(i)·2^(i) with the valuedepending on the application of the sequence.

The reference signal sequence r_(i,n) _(s) (m) is defined by

${{r_{l,n_{c}}(m)} = {{\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}\left( {1 - {2 \cdot {c\left( {2\; m} \right)}}} \right)} + {j\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}\left( {1 - {2 \cdot {c\left( {{2\; m} + 1} \right)}}} \right)}}},{m = 0},1,\ldots \mspace{14mu},{{2\; N_{RB}^{\max,{DL}}} - 1}$

where n_(s) is the slot number within a radio frame, l is the OFDMsymbol number within the slot, where OFDM is short for orthogonalfrequency-division multiplexing. The pseudo-random sequence c(i) isdefined in Section 7.2 of 3GPP TS 36.211. The pseudo-random sequencegenerator is initialized with c_(init)=2¹⁰·(7·(n_(s)+1)+l+1)·(2·N_(ID)^(cell)+1)+2·N_(ID) ^(cell)+N_(CP) at the start of each OFDM symbolwhere

$N_{CP} = \left\{ \begin{matrix}1 & {{for}\mspace{14mu} {normal}\mspace{14mu} {CP}} \\0 & {{for}\mspace{14mu} {extended}\mspace{14mu} {CP}}\end{matrix} \right.$

where CP is short for cyclic prefix. In addition, the mapping toresource elements (only shown for normal cyclic prefix) is given bySection 7.2 of 3GPP TS 36.211. The reference signal sequence r_(i,n)_(s) (m) is mapped to complex-valued modulation symbols a_(k,l) ^((p))used as reference signal for antenna port p=6 in slot n_(s) according to

a _(k,l) ^((p)) =r _(i,n) _(s) (m′)

where for normal cyclic prefix:

  k = 6(m + N_(RB)^(DL) − N_(RB)^(PRS)) + (6 − l + v_(shift))mod 6$l = \left\{ {{{\begin{matrix}{3,5,6} & {{{if}\mspace{14mu} n_{s}{mod}\; 2} = 0} \\{1,2,3,5,6} & {{{if}\mspace{14mu} n_{s}{mod}\; 2} = {1\mspace{14mu} {and}\mspace{14mu} \left( {1\mspace{14mu} {or}\mspace{14mu} 2\mspace{14mu} {PBCH}\mspace{14mu} {antenna}\mspace{14mu} {ports}} \right)}} \\{2,3,5,6} & {{{if}\mspace{14mu} n_{s}{mod}\; 2} = {1\mspace{14mu} {and}\mspace{14mu} \left( {4\mspace{14mu} {PBCH}\mspace{14mu} {antenna}\mspace{14mu} {ports}} \right)}}\end{matrix}\mspace{20mu} m} = 0},1,\ldots \mspace{14mu},{{{2 \cdot N_{RB}^{PRS}} - {1\mspace{20mu} m^{\prime}}} = {m + N_{RB}^{\max,{DL}} - N_{RB}^{PRS}}}} \right.$

The bandwidth for positioning reference signals N_(RB) ^(PRS) isconfigured by higher layers and the cell-specific frequency shift isgiven by v_(shift)=N_(ID) ^(cell) mod 6.

In summary, according to some embodiments there has been disclosed amethod according to which, optionally, the first device 110 provides itsspecific capability of supporting positioning to a network node. When/ifthe network node identifies the need for positioning support, itconfigures one of more first devices 110. Thus, the first device 110receives a positioning reference signal configuration from the networknode. The first device no also retrieves its own location. The firstdevice 110 sends the location information to either a network node or asecond device, and transmits a positioning reference signal. Accordingto some embodiments there has been to disclosed a method according towhich a second device 120 obtains positioning assistance informationrelated to the first device no, and receives a positioning referencesignal from the first device 110. After estimating characteristicproperties of the received signal, the second device 120 selects, basedon configuration, if it either shall report the estimatedcharacteristics to a network node, or to determine its position inconsideration of the received information and estimate characteristics.

The inventive concept has mainly been described above with reference toa few embodiments. However, as is readily appreciated by a personskilled in the art, other embodiments than the ones disclosed above areequally possible within the scope of the inventive concept, as definedby the appended patent claims.

1-35. (canceled)
 36. A method for providing location information in acommunications network, the method being performed by a first device,the first device supporting positioning of other devices in thecommunications network, the method comprising: acquiring a positioningreference signal configuration from a first radio network node in thecommunications network; acquiring location information from a localpositioning entity; providing the location information to at least oneof a second radio network node and a second device in the communicationsnetwork; and transmitting a positioning reference signal according tothe positioning reference signal configuration.
 37. The method accordingto claim 36, further comprising: receiving, from a network node, arequest for positioning support capabilities of the first device; and inresponse thereto, providing said positioning support capabilities to thenetwork node.
 38. The method according to claim 36, further comprising:acquiring an indication of connection establishment to the first radionetwork node; and providing positioning support capabilities of thefirst device to the first radio network node in response thereto. 39.The method according to claim 36, further comprising: confirming thatthe first device is self-localized; and in response thereto, providingpositioning support capabilities of the first device to the first radionetwork node.
 40. The method according to claim 36, further comprising:receiving a positioning ranging request from another device in thecommunications network; and in response thereto, providing a positioningranging response to said another device.
 41. The method according toclaim 40, wherein said another device is said second device.
 42. Themethod according to claim 36, wherein the positioning reference signalconfiguration specifies at least one of sequence configuration, resourcepattern configuration, time/frequency resource block configuration, andbeam configuration for how the first device is to transmit thepositioning reference signal.
 43. The method according to claim 36,wherein the location information defines a current location of the firstdevice.
 44. The method according to claim 36, wherein the positioningreference signal comprises an identity of the first device.
 45. Themethod according to claim 36, wherein the positioning reference signalis defined as in Long Term Evolution, LTE, Release
 9. 46. The methodaccording to claim 36, wherein the local positioning entity is a GlobalNavigation Satellite System (GNSS), Global Positioning System (GPS),Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONAS), BeiDou Navigation SatelliteSystem (BDS), or Galileo supported entity.
 47. The method according toclaim 36, further comprising: acquiring velocity information of thefirst device; and determining said location information based on saidvelocity information.
 48. The method according to claim 36, wherein allmessages between the first device and the first or second radio networknodes are control plane messages or user plane positioning protocolmessages.
 49. The method according to claim 36, wherein all messagesbetween the first device and the first or second radio network nodes areRadio Resource Control (RRC) protocol messages or Medium Access Control(MAC) protocol messages.
 50. The method according to claim 36, whereinall messages between the first device and the second device are sidelinkprotocol messages.
 51. A method for a second device to obtainpositioning information in a communications network, the method beingperformed by the second device, the method comprising: acquiringpositioning assistance information by receiving location information ofa first device, the first device supporting positioning of other devicesin the communications network, the location information thereby servingas said positioning assistance information for the second device;receiving a positioning reference signal from the first device, thepositioning reference signal being received according to positioningreference signal configuration; and performing at least one of a firstset of operations and a second set of operations, wherein said first setof operations comprises estimating characteristic properties from thereceived positioning reference signal; and reporting the estimatedcharacteristic properties and an association thereof with the firstdevice to a network node in the communications network; and wherein saidsecond set of operations comprises determining a current position of thesecond device according to the received positioning assistanceinformation.
 52. The method according to claim 51, further comprising:acquiring said positioning reference signal configuration from the sameor another network node or from a radio network node in thecommunications network.
 53. The method according to claim 52, whereinall messages between the second device and the radio network node areRadio Resource Control (RRC) protocol messages or Medium Access Control(MAC) protocol messages.
 54. The method according to claim 51, furthercomprising: receiving further location information from the same oranother network node or a radio network node in the communicationsnetwork.
 55. The method according to claim 51, wherein thecharacteristics relate to at least one of an identity associated to thepositioning reference signal, time of arrival of the receivedpositioning reference signal, received signal strength of the receivedpositioning reference signal, and estimated range of the receivedpositioning reference signal.
 56. The method according to claim 51,wherein the positioning assistance information comprises informationabout at least one infrastructure node or and device in thecommunications network.
 57. The method according to claim 51, whereinthe positioning assistance information comprises the positioningreference signal configuration.
 58. The method according to claim 51,wherein the positioning assistance information comprises the locationinformation of the second device.
 59. The method according to claim 51,further comprising: transmitting a positioning ranging request to thefirst device; and receiving a positioning ranging response from thefirst device in response thereto to enable estimation of the range tothe first device.
 60. The method according to claim 51, wherein allmessages between the second device and the network node are controlplane messages or user plane positioning protocol messages.
 61. Themethod according to claim 51, wherein all messages between the seconddevice and the first device are sidelink protocol messages.
 62. A devicefor providing location information in a communications network, thedevice supporting positioning of other devices in the communicationsnetwork, the device comprising processing circuitry, the processingcircuitry being configured to cause the device to perform a set ofoperations comprising: acquiring positioning reference signalconfiguration from a first radio network node in the communicationsnetwork; acquiring location information from a local positioning entity;providing the location information to at least one of a second radionetwork node and a second device in the communications network; andtransmitting a positioning reference signal according to the positioningreference signal configuration.
 63. The device according to claim 62,further comprising a storage medium storing said set of operations, andwherein the processing circuitry is configured to retrieve said set ofoperations from the storage medium to cause the device to perform saidset of operations.
 64. The device according to claim 62, wherein saidset of operations is provided as a set of executable instructions.
 65. Adevice for obtaining positioning information in a communicationsnetwork, the device comprising processing circuitry, the processingcircuitry being configured to cause the device to perform a set ofoperations comprising: acquiring positioning assistance information byreceiving location information of another device, the another devicesupporting positioning of other devices in the communications network,the location information thereby serving as said positioning assistanceinformation for the device; receiving a positioning reference signalfrom the another device, the positioning reference signal being receivedaccording to positioning reference signal configuration; and at leastone of a first set of operations and a second set of operations, whereinsaid first set of operations comprises estimating characteristicproperties from the received positioning reference signal; and reportingthe estimated characteristic properties and an association thereof withthe first device to a network node in the communications network; andwherein said second set of operations comprises determining a currentposition of the second device according to the received positioningassistance information.
 66. The device according to claim 65, furthercomprising a storage medium storing said set of operations, and whereinthe processing circuitry is configured to retrieve said set ofoperations from the storage medium to cause the device to perform saidset of operations.
 67. The device according to claim 66, wherein saidset of operations is provided as a set of executable instructions.
 68. Anon-transitory computer-readable medium storing a computer programcomprising program instructions that, when executed by processingcircuitry of a device supporting positioning of other devices in acommunications network, configures the device to provide locationinformation in a communications network, the computer program comprisingprogram instructions that configure the device to: acquire a positioningreference signal configuration from a first radio network node in thecommunications network; acquire location information from a localpositioning entity; provide the location information to at least one ofa second radio network node and a further device in the communicationsnetwork; and transmit a positioning reference signal according to thepositioning reference signal configuration.
 69. A non-transitorycomputer-readable medium storing a computer program comprising programinstructions that, when executed by processing circuitry of a device,configure the device for obtaining positioning information in acommunications network, the computer program comprising programinstructions that configure the device to: acquire positioningassistance information by receiving location information of anotherdevice, the another device supporting positioning of other devices inthe communications network, the location information thereby serving assaid positioning assistance information for the device; receive apositioning reference signal from the another device, the positioningreference signal being received according to positioning referencesignal configuration; and perform at least one of a first set ofoperations and a second set of operations; wherein said first set ofoperations comprises: estimating characteristic properties from thereceived positioning reference signal; and reporting the estimatedcharacteristic properties and an association thereof with the firstdevice to a network node in the communications network; and wherein saidsecond set of operations comprises: determining a current position ofthe second device according to the received positioning assistanceinformation.